KateToo

I'm 'training' (preparing) for an 8 day bike trip (average 45 miles / day). So far the longest I've gone is 35 miles and I haven't had any trouble with padding. Maybe because I have a comfortable seat and a naturally padded butt.

The only problem is sweating, and Id like to stay cooler. I tried a pair of unpadded bike shorts (http://www.amazon.com/Danskin-Womens-Seven-Inch-Sh... . These worked better than micro-fiber underwear and cotton shorts. But these bike-shorts are quite thin, and I wonder if these are really intended to wear without underwear.

My real question is - will PADDED bike shorts make me hotter / more-sweaty? It seems like they would. I tried on a pair, but it felt like wearing diapers - maybe I should try a less-padded variety. The padding seems to cover an area MORE than just were I actually sit.

So I'm torn ... just stick to non-padded shorts, or will I regret the lack of padding as I ride longer, and day-after-day?

Does anyone have an opinion on if padded bike shorts will be WORSE as far as staying sweaty (and increasing chances of yeast infections, etc)?

Thanks!

I've never used bike shorts but am thinking of getting some for a bike-trip.

I've never felt the need padding-wise, but the longest we generally go in a day is 20-miles. The bike trip is about 50/day (we are planning on increasing our distance before the trip).

The main reason I think they'll be good is they are suppose to be good for moisture. I assume I'll be really hot and sweaty and uncomfortable after 50 miles.

Since you wear these instead of underwear, I'm wondering if I need to pack 7 pairs (7 days of riding). Or if you wash them out (in a hotel room sink), will they be dry by morning? Do some dry quicker than others?

Any suggestions on relatively inexpensive ones? About $50 would be ok.

ALSO - does wearing light shorts OVER them defeat the purpose of their "keep you dry from sweat" qualities? I can't see myself JUST wearing bike-shorts so if that is the case I'll probably skip them.

I'm trying to understand Senior Housing and HUD regulations for my 83 yo mother in law. The places we are looking at follow HUD regulations, so I assume much of it will be the same regardless of state (we are looking in RI if it matters).

In particular we want to know how assets figure in. I've spoken with 2 of the places and neither can tell me other than 'apply and see if she is accepted'. Her income is very low, just Social Security ($10,500 / year).

She owns a home, which we are trying to sell. It is currently in her children's names (she feared losing her house when her husband was sick) and we'd like to put it back in hers. If in ours, she'd lose considerable amount with capital gains.

Is it possible to put the money away such that it comes out slowly as income, and considered only that? Would she still be able to buy a car with it? She can still drive short distances, such as to church.

I've checked the HUD web-site but have not found the information I'm looking for. Pointing in the right direction to read this information would also be very helpful.

Thank you!

I know I need to talk to a bank about this, but trying to get a quick idea about how a reverse mortgage would work for my mother-in-law who wants to sell her 2-story house and buy something manageable. Trying to figure out some way she can afford this.

1) Can you a reverse mortgage on a house where you dont own the land? She wants a pre-fab in a retirement community where you rent the land.

2) About how much could she get monthly for a reverse mortgage on a $100k house. I'm sure it depends on many things. She is 83 and is in good health. Any estimate what so ever? Range?

Thanks for any help!

I have an iphone, but have accepted a job where I can't bring a camera phone on the base (military research lab).

I was thinking I could put the sim card into another phone, so I could keep my iphone for weekends.

Any suggestions? One with music would be a plus, though not necessary.

Note: A non-functional camera isn't acceptable. Hopefully they'll change this rule soon.

Thanks

We need to sell my mother in laws house and want to understand some tax aspects.

The house is in my husband and sister-in-law's name. We pay taxes and maintenance of the house. It is the wrong house for her (too big, 2 stories), and it is getting very difficult to afford keeping her there (she has a very limited income and cannot cover her expenses).

Our hope is to have her move to a smaller house and use the equity to help support her (we hope there is at least $100k after buying a home in a 50+ community).

Since it isn't our primary-residence (we own homes), we assume selling it will incur capital gains tax. Is there anyway to avoid this?

We are really trying to find a way to continue to partially support her, where she is happy. Moving will actually incur MORE monthly expenses (the land is rented where she wants to live). She does not want to try for Senior Housing (income based). We would give this house away if we could find away to ensure she'd be supported and happy.

Others must face this same dilemma - any suggestions on the tax situation or just supporting a senior that is not self sufficient? Yet very stubborn. :-/

Maybe we just need counseling to figure out how to stop letting her make decisions she can't afford and incurring the expense. :-)

Thanks!

We want to put my mother in laws house on the market and are trying to figure out how to get rid of a lot of stuff (without too much going into a landfill).

She has some furniture which I'd think we can give to salvation army. But it is mostly just STUFF. Some may be of value, mostly not. There is some metal (an old stove) which someone might take.

Anyway - any suggestions on how to semi-easily and quickly clear out alot of stuff?

We used free-cycle before selling ours, but we can't have strangers coming by her house. Plus that takes a lot of work.

Thank you!

Sorry long. No use people recommending stuff we've tried.

We have 2 cats, one is afraid of many things. Unexpected noises, us walking towards him. Maybe he was abused (we got him when he was 1). Anyway - he is naturally 'skittish'.

Last house - litter boxes in basement - no problem. This house initially no problem. We had some construction - scared-cat hid under bed, so put a box in bedroom. Ok for a while. Then started not using it. Brought to vet (no infection) she said try other litters. Tried many (he's picky!) now he uses cedar-litter.

End construction / boxes to basement / no problems. A month later - using rugs for litter box sometimes, noticed he was afraid of the stairs. They were poorly made, I didn't like them either - so rebuilt those, and put walls at top so doesn't look so scary. Again fine, for months. Even switched back to normal litter for awhile.

6 weeks ago - on the rugs again! Maybe a coincidence - this happened after we were away Memorial day weekend, and then brought him to vet (just yearly checkup). The vet visit terrorized him, of course.

So, back to cedar - no luck. He's terrified of the basement or the stairs again!! He's not afraid of the upstairs stairs (maybe because carpeted?). Litter box upstairs again, cedar litter - no problem there (so not likely an infection). I started feeding the cats in the basement, to entice him down (I can get him down by putting treats on each stair). He'll only go down when starving (and he's petrified when doing so ) he's losing weight (he's chubby, so not a big deal for now). But I feel terrible for him! Also - sometimes he'll finally get down there, and walk around sniffing stuff instead of eating! Today he was sniffing where we keep spare detergent and cleaning stuff (near the bottom of the stairs). Move that??? If he didn't like it, you'd think he wouldn't go sniffing around it!

He won't use a covered litter-box, so litter upstairs is messy. And it's humid - it smells. I clean it as soon as I notice! Cedar litter doesn't clump - doesn't work well.

So I'm wondering now ... the smell in the basement??? Anyone experienced this? There is a dehumidifier down there. We dont smell anything. But since it started in the warm humid weather - maybe.

Air freshener?

NOTE: The other cat has NO fear of the basement what-so-ever.

Seen lots of good advice on here, but nothing seems appropriate for this. I really don't want to keep the litter up here! The nice clumping stuff would work - this cedar, though it smells good fresh, is much harder to deal with.

Anyone tried kitty anti-anxiety drugs? I suspect they are expensive. :-(

I've tried feliway (not for basement, just for him in general), seems to have no affect.

Please help! He's been quite an expense as it is, and he's only 4. My husband likes our cats, but doesn't agree with going to THIS much trouble for one cat. Have never had such a problematic cat. THANKS!!!

This certainly doesn't seem "fair" or "right" but I'm wondering if we might have any legal recourse.

Background

- My parents purchased a refrigerator from Sears for $1400 20 months ago.

- It stopped working 3 weeks ago. They paid to extend the warranty.

- The repairman said it needs a new circuit board

- It is discontinued so the part cant be ordered, it needs to be found

- They've done a "national search" and haven't found one. Though I had been told they found one at the manufacturers, I was later told they didn't actually have it

I'm told we have 3 options

1) Continue to wait for the part - they will honor the warranty and fix it. There is no time limit for this however - we could wait indefinitely

2) Get a $251 refund for the "Service Smart Agreement" they purchased

3) Get $500 (I think towards a new refrigerator). This option is available because they purchased the above. There's no way we'd buy another appliance from them!

I've spent so much time on hold and talked to so many people who can do nothing that I've lost hope Sears will do anything reasonable.

The stress is too much for my parents (78& 82) so we need to replace the refrigerator. I'm wondering if I should advice them to take the $251 or if I should speak with a lawyer.

Any advice?

Thanks!

Note: Not that it should matter, but the refrigerator was an very extravagant purchase for them.

I have cat urine in the rug - didn't catch it in time to sop any up.

I have it outside, and have been using vinegar and "urine off".

I have done this successfully in the past, but not remembering exactly how.

I'm wondering if I should get it soaking wet (the section that stinks) and leave in the sun, or dry with towels to absorb some.

Same with the vinegar and "urine off". Wet it first and let it soak in? Just let the sun dry it, or get some off with a towel?

Every time I get it wet (I've been letting it get wet and dry in the sun) i am amazed how much it still stinks!

My current plan is to put it on the deck and get it totally soaking wet, put it upside down (on some chairs to get air on all sides) so water will drip out of it (hopefully with some urine smell). Then go back to the vinegar solution.

A group of us (10) are camping near Brattleboro Vt, and just found out we aren't allowed to bring firewood. The rule makes sense - not transporting bugs around. But ... the campground charges $5 for 6 pieces of wood!

Campfires are the best part of camping, and we tend to use a lot.

Any suggestions on how we'd find a place that sells firewood in the area? I've tried searching "brattleboro vt firewood", but not having any luck.

Thanks

I got a metal partial at age 18 (I am missing the 2 teeth next to the front teeth).

It was great for 25 years - then I lost it (sick / toilet). I had it replaced with another metal partial 4 years ago. I've never been happy with it. Doesn't look as good (people say it does), food gets stuck in it.

After 3 years one of the tooth fell off and was re-attached. It just fell off again.

So I need to replace it. If I thought I could get one as good as the first metal, i'd do that.

Any opinion ... could that have just been a dud?

How long do the valplast last? Should I 'shop around' and get prices from different dentists, or is it fairly standard?

Thanks!

Doing my income taxes (using turbo tax)

I thought that the car excise taxes used to be included in deductions, but I dont see it.

Is this considered a 'personal property tax'? It seems to meet the requirements:

1) Charged on personal property (I assume a car is personal property)

2) based on the value of the personal property

3) Charged on a yearly basis

It says it does NOT include 'car registration fees', but those are charged separately.

The examples turbo tax gives are: motor homes / mobile homes / boats / planes.

Since it doesn't say cars, makes me think it isn't included.

So can I include these excise taxes as a personal property tax?

thanks!

We sold our house and I'm looking at the "Settlement Statement" for my taxes. I'm using turbotax btw.

Line 1203 has "State Tax/stamps: Deed $1801.20"

Is this considered a "sales expense"?

Since it says 'tax" I'd think it would factor into my income tax return somewhere, but I'm not sure where.

Any advice?

We are looking into installing a gas fireplace and are curious the pro's of the vented variety. There seem like there must be ... yet all I've found is the flame looks less like a wood burning flame.

Everything else is pro-ventless (more efficient), and I'm sure there must be more to it.

Any recommendations? Any reason to not go ventless (which seems like the easier option).

thanks

We have a fireplace we eventually want to add a gas insert to. For now we want to remove the chimney (it leaks and after trying a number of things it still leaks) and repair the roof.

My question is can we remove the chimney in the attic and 2nd floor (the cement blocks and whatever else is there. We are going to remodel the bathroom, so that wall can be opened no problem.

We like the brick fireplace on the first place, and would like it to remain. We are hoping to add a gas insert someday. So will leaving the cement bricks in the basement & first floor be unstable? Or is it fine? Just seems wierd to have this hole from the downstairs fireplace going up to a floor upstairs.

Also - I assume we will need some duct for the gas insert. Can this go out a wall instead of up? Or should we put a vent in now? About how much space does that use up? I assume more than the size of the pipe itself.

Is this something we'd need a mason for or could our general contractor do a lot of it?

Who would actually put in the vent necessary for a gas fireplace, and will we need to know which gas fireplace we'll buy?

Sorry for so many questions in one. Answering any of them will be appreciated. :-)

This morning in the shower I discovered I have a deer tic - well I assume it is a tic. It is hard to see up close and I only have a 2x mirror. But I can't imagine what else it would be.

My husband is away and I cannot get this on my own with tweezers (i can't see it well enough).

My husband should be home in about 10 hours (flying home from trip). Is that too long to wait?

I assume I haven't had this more than 24 hours, or I would have noticed it yesterday.

We are new to the area, so I don't have a doctor. Not sure how important it is to have it removed quickly. All the sites i've found show how to remove with tweezers. Also I thought vaseline or something, but sites say that doesn't work, or could take hours to work. I can't sit here for hours staring at a tic to see if he 'lets go'.

Do you think it's ok to just wait to have my husband help me with this? Or should I call a doctors office and try to get in?

Note: this is not in a location where I can go ask a neighbor to help me with it. :-/

We redid the kitchen including sheetrock on walls and ceiling.

I primed everything with a good primer (promar 200 from Sherwin Williams), but didn't get the ceiling painted before the cabinet maker came in.

So now, months later I've resumed painting. Got all the trim painted and am painting the walls. As I'm about half done cutting the color up to the ceiling I remembered "I never painted the ceiling!".

I had bought special kitchen / bath ceiling paint (also sherwin williams).

It is such a pain to paint the ceiling (particularly now that we have the cabinets / counters / floors in), and the primer on the ceiling looks pretty good.

So do I need to use the special ceiling paint? I don't even know the point of getting a special one for the kitchen (took the recommendations of Sherwin Willams guys).

I don't want to regret skipping this step later.

Thanks for any advice.

We bought this house 6 months ago, and put the litter boxes in the basement for our 2 cats (same as last house). That was fine.

There were periods of construction, so we left the cats in the upstairs bedroom sometimes, so also had litter boxes there.

Now trying to get rid of the upstairs ones, but one of the cats won't go into the basement.

This cat (Fred) is very easily scared in general. Very anxious cat.

I try coaxing him down the stairs with treats. He'll walk down one stair, pick up treat and run back up. I carry him down, he runs back up.

I don't know what he is afraid of or how to get him out of it. Should I put his food down there so he has no choice but to go downstairs?

I don't want to make him MORE anxious. But I am tired of the litter in the bedroom.

We had new door and window trim, and baseboard installed. I caulked everything with a paintable caulk. I now see many areas I didn't do as well as I thought I did.

often times its where I smoothed it with my finger ... the outside edge of my finger left like a thin edge/line of caulk.

Also corners are often goopy / not sharp.

Such a shame when it's brand new trim!

Any suggestions? Can i sand it? Should I try to shave it with a razor blade? Dig it out and re-do it.

Thanks